Workers at ObamaCare call center angry after being offered jobs without health benefits

A soon-to-be-opened call center meant to help teach the public about ObamaCare is under fire for offering many of its new employees part-time positions — in turn denying them benefits under the very law they are helping to implement.

The Contra Costa Times reports the call center, which is set to be opened Oct. 1, attracted about 7,000 applicants for 200 jobs after the county won the right to operate it earlier this year. Many workers and local politicians say they believed that the majority of the positions at the center would be full-time with benefits.

However, about half the workers were actually offered part-time positions with no benefits. Some say they only learned the positions were part-time after completing an orientation earlier this month.

"It reminded me of that George Clooney movie where he goes around the country firing people ('Up in the Air')," an employee who wished to remain anonymous told the Contra Costa Times. "The woman said, 'I know you were led to believe you would be full time, but things have changed. ... You are actually 'part-time intermittent.'"

Contra Costa Deputy County Administrator Theresa Speiker told the Contra Costa Times the state budget only allows for half of the customer service agents hired to work full-time, and that was made clear to the staff.

Local politicians say they feel duped.

"It is very disappointing. I was under the impression these were going to be well-paying, well-compensated positions," said County Supervisor Mary Piepho. "We were really hopeful these would be jobs meeting the unemployment needs in our county and offer them the ability to make a living and support their families."